Bears Eagles Betting – Bears Push Eagles To The Limit In Philadelphia
Sports betting players should be treated to a great Monday night affair in Philadelphia, where the Eagles are coming off a huge divisional win, but they’re hosting a Chicago team that has won three of their last four and are coming off a bye. The line is too large to bet on the Eagles to cover.
What: NFL Betting
When: Monday, November 7th, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Pick: Chicago Bears +9
Why Bet On Chicago Bears (4-3 SU, 3-4 ATS)
The Bears are coming off a bye week after defeating Tampa Bay 24-18 in London, England, and the defense was the story as they picked off Josh Freeman four times and stopped the Bucs on three of their four red-zone trips. Even though they’re ranked just 23rd in the league, this Chicago defense has the tools to be a very tough unit to go up against, led by end Julius Peppers and the linebacking duo of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, but the secondary could use some work. Offensively, the Bears have been doing a much better job of protecting Jay Cutler, who is 15th in the NFL in passer rating, and he can pick you apart if you give him time. Receiver Earl Bennett (chest) returns to the lineup after injury, and that gives Cutler another weapon. However, the key is running back Matt Forte, who is in the middle of a contract dispute with the Bears. He is sixth in the league in rushing, but more importantly, he leads all running backs in receiving yards and the Chicago faithful are starting to worry that he’ll hold out next season. The Bears reportedly plan to franchise him, and he’s not happy about it, which isn’t good for Chicago’s NFL betting odds going forward.
Safety Major Wright (hip) is also back in the lineup, which will help the back end of the Chicago defense, which will need to be on top of their game as the Eagles will pressure their secondary into making plays. The linebackers have to watch out for the Philadelphia running game, which is going to leave Chicago in some one-on-one situations. They’ll have to win those battles to have a chance on Monday night.
Why Bet On Philadelphia Eagles (3-4 SU, 3-4 ATS)
Head coach Andy Reid makes some strange decisions, but don’t bet against him after a bye week. He is now 13-0 in his career after a week off following a 34-7 dismantling of Dallas at home, and to be honest, the game wasn’t even that close. Michael Vick completed 21 of 28 passes for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while adding 50 yards on the ground, while LeSean McCoy ran for 185 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles were very patient as the Cowboys made sure that they weren’t beaten by the deep routes, so Vick killed them over the middle and in the slot, where Brent Celek and Jason Avant combined for 12 catches, 168 yards and a score. The Philadelphia defense had four sacks, but the corner trio of Nmandi Asomugha (one interception), Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had their best game of the season and if they continue to play this way, Philadelphia is going to be a tough team to pass on.
Their major injury worry is linebacker Akeem Jordan (concussion), so the Eagles should come into this game at full strength. It was always going to take a while for the Eagles to gel as they made a lot of big changes in the offseason both on the field and in the coaching staff, and the lockout certainly didn’t help. But the bye week gave them time to work on some things and they looked like a Super Bowl contender last week. This team is far too talented to have the record that they do, and now they know what they can do. It could be a tough second half for the rest of the NFC.
How It Will Play Out
Philadelphia is getting some love from NFL betting odds as they are 9-point favorites at home over Chicago, who are 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five trips to the City of Brotherly Love. These two met last year in Chicago, with the Bears coming away with a 31-26 win. In fact, the last four meetings between these two since 2007 have been decided by five points or less.
The Eagles put on a show last week, but the Bears are well rested and nine points may be a little too much to lay, especially on a Monday where everyone brings their “A” game. The Eagles should avenge last year’s loss, but Chicago isn’t going to roll over. It’s going to be close one and Philadelphia is a good straight-up wager, but the Bears will cover the online betting spread this week.
Bears Eagles Betting Pick: Chicago Bears
